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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 15, 2006 Work Session 325 A Worksession of the Frederick County Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, Febmary 15, 2006, at 2:00 P.M., in the Board of Supervisors' Meeting Room, County Administration Building, 107 North Kent Street, Winchester, Virginia. BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT Chairman Richard C. Shicklc; Vice Chairman Bill M. Ewing; Charles S. DeHaven, Jr.; Gary W. Dove; Gene E. Fisher; Philip A. Lemieux; and Barbara E. Van Osten. OTHERS PRESENT Finance Committee members Ron Hottle and Gary Lofton; Treasurer C. William Orndoff, Jr.; Commissioner ofthe Revenue Ellen Murphy; County Administrator John R. Riley, Jr.; Deputy County Administrator Jay E. Tibbs; Finance Director Cheryl B. Shiffler; Budget Analyst Jennifer Place; Dr. William C. Dean, Superintendent Frederick County Public Schools; Lisa Frye, Finance Director, Frederick County Public Schools; Fire & Rescue Director Gary DuBmeler; Deputy Director of Planning and Development Mike Ruddy; and Sherif I Robert Williamson. CALL TO ORDER Chairman Shickle called the meeting to order. Administrator Riley advised that staff had prepared a worksheet showing proposed cuts and remaining items following the Board's directive of a funding increase of $4.3-$5.1 million. He advised that he had received some feedback from certain departments: The Commissioner ofthe Revenue asked that the step change remain in the budget. She has offered to cut $50,000 from her budget to keep the step change, but requested the Board fund the additional $13,000. The Public Works Director has expressed concern about losing the proposed Civil Engineer and secretarial support positions. The Director was asked if fees could be generated to offset these costs, but he did not know because those fees were collected by the Department of Planning and Development. The Department of Planning and Development has asked that their new copier be saved. The Sheriff's Department will receive five new positions and associated equipment and vehicles, as well as an additional 12 vehicles. Fire and Rescue will receive six new positions and associated equipment. Administrator Riley went on to say that staff has worked within the $5.1 million of new revenue suggested by the Board. He went on to say that staff had originally budgeted a 5% Cost of Living Adjustment and 4% merit increase; however, that has since been reduced to 5% Cost of Living Minute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/15/06 326 Adjustment and 1 % merit increase. Administrator Riley further advised that the Department of Social Services would be requesting an additional $250,000 in local funding this year. This $250,000 can be taken from the salary reduction. He concluded by reviewing the School Board budget and stated ifthe Board chose scenario D and added the additional school debt funding to the operating fund then the two bodies were approximately $1 million apart on the operating side ofthe budget. Finance Director Shiffler advised that the scenarios address the school operating fund and debt service, but not thc capital budget. Treasurer Orndoff addressed the rcquests by the Fire and Rescue Association. He stated that the County was at a cross road where performance measures for the volunteer companies need to be implemented in order to better justify how the money is allocated. Administrator Riley stated he believed a more meaningful way to use proffer monies was for bricks and mortar projects. Supervisor Dove recommended that the Board: Not fund the $20,000 for the volunteer companies. Not fund the six new Fire and Rescue positions and equipment. Look at Fee for Service. Supervisor Van Osten stated that she had reservations about the speed with which a program like fee for service could be implemented. Administrator Riley believed the program could be implemented within six months. Chairman Shickle stated that he could not support any increase in Fire and Rescue personnel at this time due to his concems about overtime. The Board then discussed other areas of the proposed budget. Vice Chairman Ewing stated that he would like to see the Board provide some additional support to the Handley Libraries in order to increase stafI salaries. Chairman Shickle stated that he would like to have seen funding for transportation, as this will be an issue facing localitics in the very near future. Supervisor DeHaven agreed. Supervisor Fisher agreed as well and stated, if matching funds were available, he would like Minute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/15/06 327 to look at some traffic calming measures. Supervisor Ewing stated his support for transportation funding, but he was not sure it could get in the upcoming budget. Supervisor Van Osten agreed that it was a good idea to have funding for transportation. She advised that thc Board would probably be seeing a request from the tourism board for interior improvements to the new visitor's center. Commissioner Murphy stated that she would like to see the additional $5,000 requested by NW Works funded, if warranted. Chairman Shickle asked Administrator Riley ifthe Board was living up to its commitment with regard to salaries. Administrator Riley responded yes. He went on say that this budget contains a 5% COLA and I % merit. There being no further discussion on the County's proposed budget, Administrator Riley reviewed the items staff was to include in the revised proposal: Reduce the $20,000 increase to the Fire & Rescue Association. Reduce all new personnel for Fire & Rescue. Be aware of long range planning expenditures for tourism and transportation. NW Works requested increase of$5,000. Further consideration of two for Lifc and other programs. With the exception of Public Safety, the Board was okay with the added positions that were associated with revenue. The proposed GIS Technician has been reallocated to the Public Safety Communications budget in order to allow Fire and Rescue and the Sheriffs Department to work with him/her. Staff would look at the possibility of fees to oflset some of the cost of this position. He concluded by saying that the only loosc end was the Civil Engineer position, which would remain cut from the budget unless staff could quantifY the fee generation associated with this position. Finance Director Shiffler asked if it was the Board's intent to stay at $5.1 million or did they want to see a reduction. Chairman Shickle stated that after items were cut and added into the budget, then staff should Minute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/15/06 328 not search for new items to spend any additional funding on. The Board then reviewed the proposed school budget. Chairman Shickle stated that there was a $1 mill ion difference between the School Board's budget and the County and a $660,000 difference in the capital budget. Supervisor Van Osten stated that she would I ike to see us do what we can to fund the additional $1 million, through fund balance, since the School Board worked diligently to pare down their requests. Supervisor Dove stated that he would like to go with Scenario D with the School Operating Budget of$S.3 million, but he would have preferred Scenario C. Vice Chainnan Ewing stated that he was all for Scenario C, but would agree to Scenario D. Supervisor Lemieux agreed with Supervisor Dove and Vice Chairman Ewing. Supervisor Fisher stated that he would like to see any savings on the County's side ofthe budget added to the School's budget in order to reduce the $1 million difference. Supervisor DeHaven stated that Scenario D was where we need to be, but he would like to see what the County could do on the Capital side as well as make up the $1 million difference. Supervisor Van Osten supported Scenario D, but would like to see if the $1 million difference could be funded. Chairman Shickle reviewed the breakdown: Four supervisors like Scenario D with the $5.3 million in additional funding for the schools. One supervisor wants additional monies saved on the County's side transferred to the schools. Two supervisors would like to see the $1 million difference breeched. Chairman Shickle then asked Dr. Dean if any unexpended funds from this year's budget would be requested for capital projects. Dr. Dean responded yes. Finance Director Shiffler stated that when the Board meets on Monday morning, she would show them a summary ofthe cuts and additions and any net savings. Staffwould seck direction for an amount to advertise with a formal action to come at Wednesday's Board meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3: IS P.M. Minute Book Nnmber 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02/15/06 329 . --- -~ ~ c. 9,.Q Q >..-l Richard C. Shickle Chairman, Board of Supervisors Minutes Prepared By: ('In,j, [. {.U J~s Deputy Clerk, Board of Supervisors Minute Book Number 31 Board of Supervisors Budget Worksession of 02115106